2 Kings 21:1 meaning

The reign of Manasseh marks a significant turning point in the history of Judah. Becoming king at the tender age of twelve, he inherited a kingdom left in a state of reformation initiated by his father, Hezekiah. Unfortunately, instead of continuing in the ways of God, Manasseh chose the path of evil, indulging in idolatry and all forms of wickedness, defying the covenant made by earlier kings. This tragic start set the stage for a long tenure that would leave both Jerusalem and its people in great distress.

In the overview of his reign, it is noted that he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord—resurrecting the abominable practices of worship that his father had forsaken. This insistent rebellion not only provoked divine wrath but also led the people into a deeper moral decay than that of the nations the Lord had previously driven out before Israel.